Mexican culture in USA

[roni]

Airing the voice of a people
Sunday, September 02, 2007
ESMERALDA BERMUDEZ
The Oregonian Staff

WOODBURN -- The radio show begins, and in a stuffy, powder-blue room where Carmen Gonzalez has already begun to perspire, the disc jockey with cinnamon skin and round indigenous features leans into the microphone and speaks to her people.

"To all our countrymen out there working hard picking cucumbers, be sure to drink water and take breaks, because it's going to be a hot one today," she says.

The announcement is to fellow Mexicans, but Gonzalez's words don't come in Spanish. They are in Mixteco, a vowel-heavy, rapid-fire indigenous language of the mountainous regions of Oaxaca that many Woodburn residents speak.

As in other parts of Oregon, indigenous groups have carved out a presence here among the larger population. They are Mixtecos, Purepechas, Zapotecs and Triquis, and their language, cultures and customs differ from mainstream mariachi Mexico.

Knowing this, Radio Movimiento, a community station, airs three radio shows catering to the indigenous community, one that is often without voice or place among Latinos in Oregon. Shows feature native bilingual disc jockeys, such as Gonzalez, and offer native music, along with conversation in Spanish and indigenous languages.

"We're giving space to the community so the community can hear itself," said Ramon Ramirez, president of Northwest Treeplanters and Farmworkers United, owner of the station.

Since the station was launched almost a year ago, the shows have become among its most popular, broadcast from an aging two-story house in an industrial corner of Woodburn.

For miles around in the northern Willamette Valley, these indigenous listeners tune in, bent over fields picking cucumbers; at construction sites hammering new homes into shape; and in kitchens cooking feasts for family birthdays and quinceaneras.

Leticia Carrillo called the station to greet her family over the airwaves and request a Mixteco song.

"We listen," she said, "and we remember who we are and where we came from."

The new shows were embraced within months in Woodburn, where more than 50 percent of the population is Latino, census data show.

Many emigrate from Michoacan and Oaxaca, where a lot of indigenous groups have roots that date to pre-Columbian times. Up to 10 percent of Woodburn residents speak Mixteco, according to a University of Oregon survey.

Descendants of once-great civilizations that survived centuries of Spanish dominance, these indigenous immigrants -- especially those who do not speak Spanish -- have limited access to routine services such as health care, the justice system and banking. Discrimination that has long been a part of Mexico's ambivalence toward its indigenous people follows them across the border.

Radio Movimiento's three shows, "The Voice of the Purepechas," "The Oaxacan Hour" and "Our Hometowns," aim to be a resource and a cultural bridge. Disc jockeys are a mix of landscapers, field pickers, factory workers and outreach advocates with little to no radio experience. They volunteer their time to a bare-bones effort that has delivered plenty.

[Sol]

:c lap: I love Wooburn, Ore.

[roni]

Oh The rest of the article is here.

[Sol]

Thanks, I am going to print it and distribute it to my class.

[roni]

Originally Posted by Sol

Thanks, I am going to print it and distribute it to my class.

I'm becoming a sentimental old fool, but I cannot read a story like that these days without becoming a bit emotional. They are similar, in some ways, to the Pilgrims of centuries ago - and so very different at the same time.

Calderon is doing well, the polls show that about half of the respondents say he is doing better than they expected him to. I hope he continues to do well and I hope that translates to better economic conditions for Mexico and Mexicans. I hope it makes it easier for Mexican sons and daughters; mothers and fathers to stay near their roots.

[Sol]

Originally Posted by roni

I'm becoming a sentimental old fool, but I cannot read a story like that these days without becoming a bit emotional. They are similar, in some ways, to the Pilgrims of centuries ago - and so very different at the same time.

Calderon is doing well, the polls show that about half of the respondents say he is doing better than they expected him to. I hope he continues to do well and I hope that translates to better economic conditions for Mexico and Mexicans. I hope it makes it easier for Mexican sons and daughters; mothers and fathers to stay near their roots.

I'm with you on being emotional. I enjoy articles such as these.
I am glad that Calderon is demonstrating concern for bettering Mexico. People want to stay in their country. It's a great sacrifice to them to leave their homes to try to improve their economic situation. (hugs) my friend.

[PlayadelSoul]

Nice article, but what in the hell is an "indigenous immigrant?" Everyone is indigenous to somewhere.

[roni]

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

Nice article, but what in the hell is an "indigenous immigrant?" Everyone is indigenous to somewhere.

I think Sol is better equipped to give you the best possible response, so I'll wait for herl.

[Sol]

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

Nice article, but what in the hell is an "indigenous immigrant?" Everyone is indigenous to somewhere.

Someone who is an indian. Many individuals who are immigrating to the United States are indicating that they being to indian groups such as Tarahuamaras, Purepechas, Maya, Zapotec. They explain that their cultures and language are different than mainstream Mexican. I have gone to some conferences and listened to some scholars of Mexican indigenous descent talk about how their politics and cultural reproductions differ from that of Mexican society. Some interesting stuff.

[PlayadelSoul]

I understood who they were referring to. My question has more to do with the fact that if someone is an immigrant, they are no longer indigenous. Does the writer refer to the Norwegians in Minnesota as "indigenous immigrants?" Sorry, but it just drives me nuts when PC is taken to the point of being illogical. Everyone is indigenous to somewhere.

[Sol]

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

I understood who they were referring to. My question has more to do with the fact that if someone is an immigrant, they are no longer indigenous. Does the writer refer to the Norwegians in Minnesota as "indigenous immigrants?" Sorry, but it just drives me nuts when PC is taken to the point of being illogical. Everyone is indigenous to somewhere.

You are right...the word indigenous is flexible in that sense. It's not being PC, indigenous is another word that is used to identify indians. As you explained, it is applicable to an immigrant as well.

[PlayadelSoul]

Originally Posted by Sol

You are right...the word indigenous is flexible in that sense. It's not being PC, indigenous is another word that is used to identify indians. As you explained, it is applicable to an immigrant as well.

Just turned 6000, Sol. Felicidades!!

[Sol]

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

Just turned 6000, Sol. Felicidades!!

Mil gracias, Mark!!!!